Calculate the electricity and water cost per washing machine load. Enter energy use, water cost, and loads per week for total laundry washing expenses.
While washing machines use much less electricity than dryers, the combined cost of electricity and water per load still adds up. A modern ENERGY STAR washer uses about 0.15–0.30 kWh of electricity and 12–20 gallons of water per load. Including water and sewer costs, each load can cost $0.10–$0.40.
Front-load washers are generally more efficient than top-loaders, using 40–50% less water and 20–30% less electricity. The water temperature setting also matters: hot water cycles use significantly more energy because the water heater must work harder. Washing in cold water can cut the energy portion of laundry costs by 75–90%.
This calculator combines both electricity and water costs to give you a complete picture of what each wash cycle truly costs. Use it to evaluate washer efficiency, water temperature choices, and the total annual cost of doing laundry.
Integrating this calculation into regular energy reviews ensures that conservation strategies are grounded in measured data rather than assumptions about building performance and usage patterns.
Laundry costs include both electricity and water, but most people only think about the dryer. This calculator shows the full per-load cost of washing so you can optimize settings and evaluate appliance upgrades. Data-driven tracking enables proactive energy management, helping organizations reduce operational costs while progressing toward environmental sustainability goals and carbon reduction targets.
Cost per Load = (kWh per Cycle × Rate) + Water Cost per Load Annual Cost = Cost per Load × Loads per Week × 52
Result: $0.135/load
A washer using 0.25 kWh at $0.14/kWh costs $0.035 in electricity plus $0.10 in water = $0.135 per load. With 6 loads/week, the annual cost is $0.135 × 6 × 52 = $42.12.
The total cost of doing laundry includes washing (electricity + water), drying (electricity or gas), and detergent. Washing costs $0.10–$0.40 per load, drying $0.25–$0.70, and detergent $0.10–$0.25. A complete load costs $0.45–$1.35 all-in.
Hot water washes can use 4–5 times more energy than cold water because the water heater must raise water temperature from 50–70°F to 130–140°F. About 90% of a warm/hot wash cycle's energy goes to heating water, not running the motor.
If your washer is 10+ years old, especially a standard top-loader, replacing it with an ENERGY STAR front-load model can save $50–$100/year in combined water and energy costs. Look for models with high Modified Energy Factor (MEF) and low Water Factor (WF) ratings.
Including electricity and water, each load costs $0.10–$0.40 depending on washer efficiency, water temperature, water rates, and electricity rates. Cold water washes are at the lower end, hot water washes at the higher end.
A front-load ENERGY STAR washer uses 12–15 gallons per load. An older top-loader may use 30–40 gallons. High-efficiency top-loaders use 15–25 gallons. Water usage is a significant portion of the total per-load cost.
Yes. Modern detergents are formulated to work well in cold water. Cold water is effective for most everyday laundry. Hot water is still recommended for heavily soiled items, whites with stains, and bedding/towels for sanitization.
A front-load washer typically saves $40–$80/year in water and electricity compared to a standard top-loader. Over a 10–15 year lifespan, savings total $400–$1,200. Front-loaders also extract more water, reducing dryer costs.
Wait for a full load when possible. Running half-loads uses 60–70% of the water and energy of a full load while cleaning only half the clothes. If you must wash a small load, use the appropriate water level setting.
Check your water/sewer bill for the rate per gallon or per CCF (748 gallons). A front-load washer using 13 gallons at $0.01/gallon costs about $0.13 per load in water and sewer charges combined.